'More Ukrainians than ever seeking host families'

A Guildford charity which helps Ukrainians seeking homes in Surrey since war broke out in their home country said it was struggling to find enough host families.

GUkraine told BBC Radio Surrey it had helped about 2,500 people since early 2022, but there were now more people than ever who needed somewhere to live.

For some Ukrainians it's their third Christmas in the UK.

Tina Moon, who co-founded GUkraine, said although at first many people "wonderfully hosted", as time went by fewer people have come forward, adding: "It's really sad, it's just impossible."

Ukrainian Sonya Ohii moved to Guildford with her mum and younger sister when she was 15. She is now studying film at university.

"I feel proud of myself," she said. "I know how hard I worked to achieve this in a new country. I learned everything new here."

She misses people she left in Dnipro, an industrial city in the middle of the country which has been hit regularly by Russian bombs.

"Every day there's rockets, every day explosions. I can say that my family and friends are completely different...because of the conditions."

Her father is still in Ukraine because military aged men aren't allowed to leave. Sonya is "always worrying but there's nothing I can truly do...I talk to my dad every day asking if he is all right. It's really hard if they don't make contact with you the next day."

The 19-year-old student is thankful to everyone for their support and added "it's great to feel you are not alone".

Larysa Smirnova moved to the area in May 2022 with her four-year-old son, leaving her husband behind. Shortly after, she moved to a new rental property and set up her own business, Lora Cleaning Services. Larysa credits her host Rachel in helping her because "she didn't give me fish, but gave me the tools".

She speaks to her family in Ukraine regularly but said: "Everyone feels it's harder to stay in Ukraine but it's also hard to stay in the UK because all of the time you are challenged."

She said her husband was just trying to "focus on work and waiting for his family".

She is visiting Ukraine for Christmas but said: "When people celebrate, they wish for only one thing - everyone wants the war to finish quicker."

Ms Moon said she was very thankful for help from the local communities and churches.

She said the charity had secured homes in Guildford and Waverley, provided goods and helped with navigating local and national government.

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